Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [vohl-tuh, vol- feys]
- /ˈvoʊl tə, ˈvɒl- feɪs/
- /ˌvɒltˈfæs/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [vohl-tuh, vol- feys]
- /ˈvoʊl tə, ˈvɒl- feɪs/
Definitions of volte-face word
- noun plural volte-face a turnabout, especially a reversal of opinion or policy. 1
- countable noun volte-face If you say that someone's behaviour is a volte-face, you mean that they have changed their opinion or decision completely, so that it is the opposite of what it was before. 0
- noun volte-face a reversal, as in opinion or policy 0
- noun volte-face a change of position so as to look, lie, etc, in the opposite direction 0
- noun volte-face a turn so as to face the opposite way; about-face 0
- noun volte-face a complete reversal of opinion, attitude, etc. 0
Information block about the term
Origin of volte-face
First appearance:
before 1810 One of the 40% newest English words
1810-20; < French < Italian voltafaccia, equivalent to volta turn (see volt2) + faccia face
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Volte-face
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
volte-face popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 32% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data most of word are more popular. This word is almost not used. It has a much more popular synonym.
Synonyms for volte-face
noun volte-face
- about-face — An about-face is a complete change of attitude or opinion.
- antipole — the opposite pole
- change of heart — a profound change of outlook, opinion, etc
- contra — against
- contraries — opposite in nature or character; diametrically or mutually opposed: contrary to fact; contrary propositions.
verb volte-face
- aways — to cease to live; undergo the complete and permanent cessation of all vital functions; become dead.
- cover up — If you cover something or someone up, you put something over them in order to protect or hide them.
- deflect — If you deflect something that is moving, you make it go in a slightly different direction, for example by hitting or blocking it.
- divert — to turn aside or from a path or course; deflect.
- get around — to receive or come to have possession, use, or enjoyment of: to get a birthday present; to get a pension.
Antonyms for volte-face
noun volte-face
- corroboration — the act of corroborating.
- identical — similar or alike in every way: The two cars are identical except for their license plates.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with v
- Words starting with vo
- Words starting with vol
- Words starting with volt
- Words starting with volte
- Words starting with voltef
- Words starting with voltefa
- Words starting with voltefac
- Words starting with volteface